Third Week in August
On Aug. 14, 1999, Hall of Fame shortstop Harold "Pee Wee" Reese died from lung cancer at the age of 81. An eight-time All-Star, Reese captained the Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s. He helped lead Brooklyn to seven National League pennants and wore the glove pictured here during the 1955 World Series, when the Dodgers claimed their only world championship while in Brooklyn. Reese also gained acclaim for his acceptance of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American Major League player of the 20th century. While many other National League players voiced their opposition of Robinson, Reese made his new Dodgers teammate feel welcome, both in the clubhouse and on the field. Reese won election to the Hall of Fame in 1984, joining Robinson, Roy Campanella and Duke Snider as fellow Brooklyn Dodgers teammates enshrined in Cooperstown. Reese also served as a member of the Hall of Fame's Veterans Committee.